Welcome to Collingwood, Coach Craig McRae

[Pies4shaw]

It's almost like the previous appalling decade didn't happen - except that we still all bear the emotional scars.

[BenBronx]

We've just won six in a row having only won six in the whole of last year. He has galvanised both the players and supporters. I felt we needed to make a change from Bucks but we needed to make sure we found the right person to take us forward. It looks like we have...

[Pies4shaw]

It is worth observing that Collingwood:

- has already achieved a better win/loss record than it managed in 2020, when we last played finals (10 wins, 8 losses and a draw from 19 matches); and

- is a reasonable chance to achieve as many wins as it did in both the 2018 and the 2019 home and away season (15 and 7 both years);

- has already won more games than we won in either 2016 or 2017 (9 in each season);

- has already equalled the nunber of wins we managed in 2015 (10);

- would be a nearly unbackable favourite to win more games than the 11 we won in 2014;

- is a better than reasonable chance to achieve as many wins as it did in the 2013 home and away season (14 wins).

Of course, the wheels may yet come off, given that we don't presently field (as we did in 2012) Cloke, Dawes, Swan, Beams, Johnson, Jolly, Krakoeur, Reid, Heater, H, Thomas and Wellingham (amongst others) but this has been a brilliant season, so far, from a coaching team doing its best with one arm tied behind its back, personnel-wise.

[Ronnie McKeowns boots]

Soberingly poor stats there, the Lost Decade indeed...I guess that guy who wrote the hubris article about us in 2011 really hit the nail on the head

[BazBoy]

[duggieboy]

This is looking like a remarkably quick turnaround from last season, which says a heck of a lot about the coaching "smarts" & philosophy.

I didn't expect we'd be in the mix for finals, at this stage of the season.

[What'sinaname]

Well, 11 wins means McRae first season can at worst result in a 50% win ratio.

If he retires today, he's equal 5th on the record of win percentage amongst all Collingwood coaches.

In fact, at this stage, his win percentage is better than McHale, Hafey, Malthouse and Matthews.

[BazBoy]

We have only had two coaches with multiple premiership,s

McHale and Kyne

Now that’s the record I’d like to see him equal or surpass

[pietillidie]

Great presser this week (as always).

[pietillidie]

When doesn't he give a great presser? The bloke is the Buddha of mature leadership. Always giving praise to his assistants, refusing to give excuses. Sitting between praise and humility, satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Handled the Ginni questions with class as always.

Just quality all the way.

[Pies4shaw]

In my opinion, McRae's contribution isn't aptly captured just by the results - howsoever dramatically improved they may be. The team is, in addition, infinitely better to watch under the new game plan - not just because they're winning more but because the new approach allows players to express themselves and demonstrate their flair. Previously, Collingwood could not expect to be competitive unless it won the stoppages and the contested possessions handsomely. It was dour, hideous stuff and it wore the good players down - there was nothing at all to take away from a Collingwood game unless the team won.

Now, we have genuine clips for the highlights reel every game and from a variety of players. In short, Collingwood is watchable, again.

[Crimson Mask]

In my opinion, McRae's contribution isn't aptly captured just by the results - howsoever dramatically improved they may be. The team is, in addition, infinitely better to watch under the new game plan - not just because they're winning more but because the new approach allows players to express themselves and demonstrate their flair. Previously, Collingwood could not expect to be competitive unless it won the stoppages and the contested possessions handsomely. It was dour, hideous stuff and it wore the good players down - there was nothing at all to take away from a Collingwood game unless the team won.

Now, we have genuine clips for the highlights reel every game and from a variety of players. In short, Collingwood is watchable, again.

this x 100000000000000
Illustrates in a nutshell why Buckley was a shit coach.
Structured the team to within an inch of their life.
Routinely overcoached
And most importantly sucked the joy and spark out of his side.

Although not a student of psychology, I feel that there's a direct correlation between playing attacking football and belief, self confidence, self esteem, positivity and contentment.

Under the uber conservative, risk averse and negative Buckley game plan, I firmly believe that it had an adverse impact on mindset, self belief and self worth. Sort of like having the players believe that they have to play in this fashion as they're not good enough to play with flair and instinctively.

The fact that McRae has been able to seamlessly integrate an attacking game plan into this team, suggests that they have far more talent than Buckley ever gave them credit for, and reflects badly on Nathan's capabilities as a coach.

[What'sinaname]

^ you've gone early with the finals coached.

Fly could get COVID which would leave Bolts or Leppa to coach the game.

[think better]

I reckon Fly is actually Ted Lasso

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhrqhHtaUJs

[Magpietothemax]

In my opinion, McRae's contribution isn't aptly captured just by the results - howsoever dramatically improved they may be. The team is, in addition, infinitely better to watch under the new game plan - not just because they're winning more but because the new approach allows players to express themselves and demonstrate their flair. Previously, Collingwood could not expect to be competitive unless it won the stoppages and the contested possessions handsomely. It was dour, hideous ^

this x 100000000000000
Illustrates in a nutshell why Buckley was a shit coach.
Structured the team to within an inch of their life.
Routinely overcoached
And most importantly sucked the joy and spark out of his side.

Although not a student of psychology, I feel that there's a direct correlation between playing attacking football and belief, self confidence, self esteem, positivity and contentment.

Under the uber conservative, risk averse and negative Buckley game plan, I firmly believe that it had an adverse impact on mindset, self belief and self worth. Sort of like having the players believe that they have to play in this fashion as they're not good enough to play with flair and instinctively.

The fact that McRae has been able to seamlessly integrate an attacking game plan into this team, suggests that they have far more talent than Buckley ever gave them credit for, and reflects badly on Nathan's capabilities as a coach.

Agree Crimson Mask. your description of Buckley as a coach to me is spot on. His influence unfortunately undermined our players' confidence, and therefore their self-belief and self-esteem.
McRae's transformation of our team shows how in touch he is with the psychology of young men. He has unleashed all their creative and physical potential, and in such a short time.
Credit also to the assistant coaches, who must have also played a highly important role in this process.
The amazing progress of Darcy Cameron, Mason Cox, and - dare I say it - the flourishing of our veterans: Pendles, Sidey, Jamie, since last year, points to the fact that even champions can be developed when the coach is in sync with the team psyche.
But I don't want to think about Bux anymore: I just want to celebrate this amazing coach who is bringing to our team such a joie de vivre, confidence and self-worth, and such happiness to all those who love the Pies.